Portable inspection containers

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides improved methods and systems of the X-ray scanning of personal items. The present invention subjects personal items to a securable container that is controlled and amenable to X-ray screening. A portable container transparent to X-ray radiation is used for scanning personal items such as wallets, cameras, and keys which are normally not a part of a passenger&#39;s baggage. Personal items are placed in the container, which is then locked. The locked container is allowed to go through the X-ray device that generates images of the enclosed items. After being scanned the container is unlocked and the items can be removed. Preferably, the container lock has a cam, which is engaged with the groove when it is in the closed state. The key of the lock cannot be withdrawn when the lock is in the open state, thereby preventing passengers from accidentally leaving with the key in hand. The key can be removed from the lock only when it is in the closed state. It is further preferred for each lock to have a uniquely shaped key to lower the risk that a single key can be used to unlock multiple containers. For production purposes, the keys can be formed into a variety of geometric shapes, each of said shapes uniquely defining a lock structure.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of securityand, more specifically, to a portable container capable of securingpersonal items when submitted for inspection by devices or personnel.The present invention is also directed to methods of using suchcontainers to improve airport security and preventing the theft ofpersonal items during an airport check-in process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The dangers posed by explosives, weapons, contraband, or otherillegal substances require numerous locations to impose screeningprocedures on all visitors, passengers, luggage, and parcels enteringthe location. In high-profile locations, such as government buildings orhigh-rises, such security procedures require visitors to be scanned withmetal detectors, in order to detect dangerous, concealed objects such asweapons, while baggage, such as briefcases and purses, are placed on aconveyor belt leading to and through an X-ray screening device. Oncescreened, the visitor may re-acquire his or her baggage on the otherside of the X-ray device, as it passes through the device on theconveyor belt. A similar procedure is used in transportation facilities,such as airports. Conventionally, passengers are required to submit tometal detectors in order to insure they are not carrying items thatcould be used as weapons and are required to submit their baggage, suchas briefcases, purses, bags, and the like, to an X-ray screeningprocedure.

[0003] Common to all security procedures is the need to haveindividuals, namely the visitors or passengers, enter the metal detectorwithout certain personal belongings that, although typically carried onthe person and not part of the individual's hand-carried luggage, purseor briefcase, need to be subjected to an X-ray screening. Personalbelongings such as cameras, keys, wallets, watches, cellular phones, andlipsticks often contain too much metal and can trigger the metaldetector if an individual carries them through the device. Becausesecurity personnel are required to perform supplementary searcheswhenever such a trigger occurs, either by having the individual passthrough the detector again, conducting a physical search or passinganother hand-held detector about and around the individual's body,triggers can unnecessarily slow down throughput and create bottlenecksat security checkpoints. Additionally, once the item causing the metaldetector to trigger is identified, the item needs to be inspected by asecurity official and the individual needs to be subjected, again, to asearch, thereby creating even greater delays.

[0004] More importantly, because conventional items, such as phones andcameras, may conceal dangerous or illegal items in a manner that is notdetectable by visual inspection, it is important for those items to besubjected to X-ray screening, even though they may not be part of theindividual's baggage. X-ray screening can detect the presence of unusualstructures, such as gun barrels or out of place metal shards thatindicate the presence of a dangerous weapon in a conventional item.Typically, the need to subject personal items to X-ray screening hasbeen addressed by having individuals place those items in an open tray.This tray is placed on the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt transportsthe tray through the X-ray scanning system where an X-ray beam scans thearticle causing an X-ray image, indicative of the material constituencyof the item, to be generated. Using a computer processing and displaysystem, the X-ray image is presented to a security official and storedfor later inspection, if necessary.

[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, a typical X-ray system is shown havingpersonal items positioned on its conveyor belt. The system 100 includesentrance opening 101, longitudinal slot 102, exit opening 103, conveyorbelt 104, open tray 105, personal items 106, and cabinet 107. Thepersonal items 106 are placed on the open tray 105 by the user. Theconveyor belt 104 runs across the longitudinal slot 102 carrying theopen tray 105 from the entrance opening 101 to the exit opening 103. Inthe course of moving the open tray 105 from the opening 101 to the exit103, the personal items 106 are subjected to an X-ray radiation source[not shown] from which X-rays, either scattered or attenuated dependingupon the system used, are then detected by a detector array [not shown].

[0006] Shown in FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned topside view of thesystem 100. The system 200 includes a cabinet 201, open tray 202,conveyor belt 203, personal items 204, X-ray source 205, detectionsystem 206, and X-ray chamber 208. The conveyor belt 203 transports theopen tray 202 through the X-ray chamber 208. The X-ray tube 205 producespulsed, low scattered X-rays which penetrate the article in themid-position of the X-ray chamber 208 and are then scattered and/orattenuated. The attenuated X-rays are detected by the detection system206 which may be any detection system known to those of ordinary skillin the art. The detection system 206 may also be placed in otherpositions to effectuate other types of detection processes, includingscatter detection. The internal walls of this structure may be shieldedfor prevention of X-ray exposure outside the cabinet 201.

[0007] The abovementioned arrangement has substantial disadvantages,however. Because valuable personal items, including wallets, phones andlaptops, are being placed in an open, unsecured tray, there is asubstantial risk of items being stolen from the open tray out of theother side of X-ray scanning device before an individual passes throughthe metal detector and is authorized to pick up the items. Morespecifically, in airport security applications, passengers may oftenplace personal belongings on the conveyor belt, leading into and throughan X-ray device, prior to being allowed to walk through a metaldetector. As such, the individual may have submitted his or herbelongings for X-ray screening before being able to clear the metaldetector, thereby forcing the individual to leave his or her belongingsunattended once they pass through the X-ray screening device. Thisprovides ample opportunity for thieves to steal personal belongings,such as wallets, phones, and laptops, from an open tray. Additionally,because they are loose, uncontained, and small, the personal belongingsmay spill over or fall out of the tray in the course of being scanned.In light of the above described disadvantages, there is a need for asystem that can provide effective scanning of personal items whiledelivering increased security over the individual's personal belongings.Additionally, there is a need for a system that does not increase thedelays at security checkpoints. Further, there is a need for a systemthat does not compromise the quality of the X-ray screening or otherwiseweaken the security process by, for example, inserting loopholes intothe process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides improved methods and systems ofthe X-ray scanning of personal items. The present invention subjectspersonal items to a securable container that is controlled and amenableto X-ray screening.

[0009] In an embodiment, a portable container transparent to X-rayradiation is used for scanning personal items such as wallets, cameras,and keys which are normally not a part of the baggage. Personal itemsare placed in the container, which is then locked. The locked containeris allowed to go through the X-ray device that generates images of theenclosed items. After being scanned the container is unlocked and theitems can be removed.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is a locking deviceintegrated with the container for the security of the contained items.The lock has a cam, which is engaged with the groove when it is in theclosed state. The key of the lock cannot be withdrawn when the lock isin the open state, thereby preventing passengers from accidentallyleaving with the key in hand. The key can be removed from the lock onlywhen it is in the closed state.

[0011] The present invention is designed to be used in concert with theaforementioned security process. Operationally, when an individualarrives at the security checkpoint, he picks up the securable containerfrom the container storage area, preferably located close to thesecurity checkpoint. The containers are stacked one above another in thestorage location. A container is issued to an individual upon productionof the boarding pass. The passenger removes his personal belongings andinserts them into the container, where the lid is in the open position,by inserting such items into the interior compartment defined by thebase. The key is present in the keyway of the lock in the open state. Toclose the container, the passenger brings the lid into contact with thebase of the container and moves the key in the keyway, thereby engagingthe cam into the groove and shifting the lock from the open state to theclosed state. The passenger places the container on a conveyor belt,leading into and through an X-ray screening system, and retrieves thecontainer after having passed through a metal detector. The passengerthen opens the container, removes his items, and leaves the container ina stack for future use.

[0012] It is further preferred for each lock to have a uniquely shapedkey to lower the risk that a single key can be used to unlock multiplecontainers. For production purposes, the keys can be formed into avariety of geometric shapes, each of said shapes uniquely defining alock structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be appreciated, as they become better understood by reference tothe following Detailed Description when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings:

[0014]FIG. 1 is diagram showing an X-ray system scanning personal itemsplaced in an open tray;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned topside view of the abovementionedX-ray system;

[0016]FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of securable container of the presentinvention;

[0017]FIG. 4 shows the plan view of another embodiment of the securablecontainer with three internal compartments;

[0018]FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a locking device;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the locking device mounted on thecontainer of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the locking device of thepresent invention;

[0021]FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a container in the closed positionwith the lockable device in the locked state;

[0022]FIG. 9 shows the side view of the X-ray scanning system inaccordance with the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 10 shows an inside perspective view of the scanner apparatusof the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 11 shows the lockable container placed on the X-ray scanningsystem; and

[0025]FIG. 12 shows the cross sectional view of the X-ray scanningsystem with the securable container being scanned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention improves the X-ray scanning of personalitems by subjecting those personal items to a securable container thatis controlled and amenable to X-ray screening. The present inventionwill be described with reference to the aforementioned drawings. One ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the applicationsdescribed herein are examples of how the broader concept can be applied.

[0027]FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of securable container of the presentinvention. The container 300 comprises base 301, lid 302, storagecompartment 303, and handle 304. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate that the container 300, while depicted as rectangular with abase 301, lid 302, internal compartment 303, and handle 304, can be ofany shape or configuration, provided that the shape permits thecontainer to be stable when positioned on a conveyor belt and to be ableto move through the heavy shielding material present at the entrance andexit of the X-ray device.

[0028] Base 301 has a rectangular configuration and forms an integralstorage compartment 303. The compartment 303 is defined by parallelspaced first and second end walls 305 and 306, a pair of spaced parallelside walls 307 and 308, and a bottom wall indicated at 309. The bottomwall 309 has generally a U-shaped configuration formed by spacedparallel ledges 310 and 311, which extend along and are formedintegrally with the bottom edges of sidewalls 307 and 308, respectively.A third ledge (not visible) is formed integrally with first end wall 305and extends along the bottom edge thereof. Thus, the third ledge incombination with ledges 310 and 311, form a U-shaped bottom wall. Alocking device 320 is fixed on the end wall 306 of the base 301 with akeyway at one end and a cam at the other end. In an alternate embodimentthe spaced ledges 310 and 311 may not be parallel but may be slantedtowards each other. By providing an inwardly slanted base, a pluralityof these containers could be stacked atop each other, assuming the lidsare not attached to the base, thereby enabling compact storage anddistribution. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate thatthere are multiple designs that would yield a container that couldeffectively hold items, have an attached lid, and be stackable. Thepresent invention is not limited to the design choices expressed hereinbut extend to cover various containers that could be used for securitypurposes in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] The wall 315 of the lid 302 is such that it is positioned overthe wall 305 of the base 301 when the container is closed. The depth ofthe container 300 is the addition of the inner depth of the base 301 andlid 302. The total height of the container 300 is designed in such a waythat it does not exceed the allowable height of the items that can enterthe X-ray device.

[0030] The lid 302 has a U-shaped configuration formed by wall 313 andspaced parallel sidewalls 314 and 315. A top wall 316 extends the entirelength of wall 313 and between the sidewalls 314 and 315. Optionally,pairs of reinforcing ribs [not shown] may be formed on the insidesurface of lid wall 313 to increase the rigidity. A pair of slots 318 isformed in the outer ends of sidewalls 314 and 315 of the lid 302. A pairof pivot posts 319 is snap fitted into the slots 318, which are formedintegrally with and extend perpendicularly outwardly from base sidewalls307 and 308. Pivot posts 319 have outer disc shaped ends, which attachinto slots 318, thereby firmly connecting lid sidewalls 314 and 315 tothe base 301. This pivot-slot structure permits the base 301 and lid 302to be separately molded and then to attach the lid 302 to the base 301,by engaging pivot posts 319 within slots 318. This enables the base andlid components to be molded in less complicated dies, and therefore lessexpensively, than single piece containers having irregular shapes. Ahandle 304 may be formed integrally on wall 313 of the lid 302 and maybe used by individuals for carrying the container 300 to the X-rayconveyor belt. Alternatively, there may be two handles [not shown]positioned on sidewalls 314 and 315, permitting individuals to carry thecontainer 300 with two hands. A block 321 containing a groove is fixedto the inner wall of the front part 313 of the lid. The block 321 ispositioned corresponding to the locking device 320 secured to the base301, so that its groove can engage the cam of the locking device.

[0031] The securable container can be designed to have multiplecompartments with different shapes and sizes as per the requirements, sothat articles of both smaller as well as bigger dimensions can fit intothem. For example, separate compartments in a container can bestructured to hold keys, personal data assistants, wallets, laptops,etc.

[0032]FIG. 4 shows the plan view of another embodiment of the securablecontainer 400 with three internal compartments. The internalcompartments 401, 402, and 403 are separated by internal partitions 404.The internal partitions 404 are attached perpendicularly to the insidesurface of the base of the container. The internal partitions 404 arecomposed of the same material as the container. The dimensions of thecompartment 401 are preferably such that electronic devices, such aslaptops or personal data assistants, can appropriately fit into itwithout much relocation while the movement of the container on theconveyor belt. Similarly, the dimensions of the compartment 402 are suchthat beverage containers can fit appropriately into it and do not tiltduring the movement of the container. The compartment 403 can be usedfor storing items such as keys, lipsticks, and wallets etc., which donot have a fixed size. An additional inner lid 406 is used to cover thecompartment 403 to prevent spilling over of these items. The compartment403 has channels on its sides and it is closed by pressing the lid 406over it.

[0033] The advantage of having multiple compartments is that variousarticles having different shapes and constituents can be separated intoindependent zones. Also, the articles are prevented from dislocationwhile the container moves over the conveyor belt in the X-ray device.The present invention is not limited to the abovementioned arrangementof compartments but includes any other design pattern, which cansuitably store personal items of various dimensions. The number, shape,and size of the compartments may vary depending of the kind of articlesto be inspected and the requirements of the location.

[0034] The dimensions of the securable container should be suitablyfixed such that it can conveniently pass through the X-ray devicewithout making contact with the sidewalls or the top wall. Also, thematerial used for constructing the container should be such that it isadequately heavy to move past the heavy shielding material located atthe entrance and exit openings of the inspection chamber of the X-raydevice.

[0035] It is preferred that the material used for manufacturing thecontainer is an organic material, such as plastic, which is transparentto X-ray radiation and not indicative of, or similar to, from an X-rayimaging standpoint, any harmful substances, contraband, or explosives.Exemplary plastic materials include ABS or PET. Also, it would befurther preferred that the material suffer no effect, physical orchemical, from the exposure to X-ray radiation.

[0036] The container needs to be securable in order to prevent the theftof personal items. As such, it is preferred that all containers,irrespective of their structures, include a locking device. Referring toFIG. 5, one embodiment of a locking device is shown. The locking device500 includes a lock 501, keyway 502, cam 503, and housing enclosure 505.Key 506 is compatible with the keyway 502 of locking device 500. The keyhas a body 507 and a holding head 508. The keyway 502 is at one end ofthe lock 501 and the cam 503 is at the other end, formed as an extensionof the lock. The cam 503 is curved at the end. The lock 501 and housingenclosure 505 is positioned on one portion of the container, i.e. thebase, while the block with a groove is positioned on a second portion ofthe container, i.e. the lid. When the key 506 is inserted into thekeyway 502 and rotated, the cam 503 moves along with the rotation of thekey 506. The curved portion 504 of the cam 503 gets engaged in thegroove, thereby closing the lock and securing the lid to the base.

[0037] It is preferred that the lock of each securable container has aunique key so that a person acquiring a key and opening one containercan be prevented from opening any further containers. The cross-sectionof the body of the key can be any geometric shape such as circular,rectangular, triangular, oval, among other shapes, with acorrespondingly complementary keyway shape to accept and permit the keyto rotate the cam. By using varying geometric shapes, keys can be easilyformed and paired with containers. The possibility of keys beingconfused with each other, or with which container it may be open, isreduced when the key bodies have different shapes. Beyond having the keyplug of the lock suitably designed to accommodate the particularstructure of the body of the key, the teeth of each key are preferablyshaped in a manner that is unique and is distinct from the other keys.Thus, a key does not fit properly into the key plug if its teeth do notmatch with the grooves in the key plug. This prevents the movement ofkey inside the lock thereby preventing illegal access.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 6, the locking device mounted on the containerof the present invention is shown. As shown, the lock 601 is in the openstate. The housing enclosure 602 comprising the lock 601 is fixed on theinner wall 609 of the front part of the base 603 of the container. Thelock 601 is mounted to the dual walled common support structure of thehousing enclosure 602. The block 611 containing the groove 604, whichengages the cam 605, is fixed to the inner wall 610 of the front part ofthe lid 606. The groove 604 extends till the point 612 inside the block611. The cam 605 is positioned in the interior of the housing enclosure602. When the key 607 is inserted into the keyway 608 and turnedcounterclockwise, the lock 601 comes to the closed state, by action ofthe cam 605 engaging the groove 604, and the base 603 is secured to thelid 606. The present invention can be effectively practiced by akey-lock design in which the key operates to lock the container throughclockwise, as opposed to counterclockwise, motion.

[0039]FIG. 7 depicts the cross sectional view of the lock. In thepreferred embodiment, when the lock 701 is in the open state, the key702 cannot be withdrawn from the keyway 703. A key plug 704 encasing thekeyway 703 is formed inside the lock 701. When the key 702 is movedinside the keyway 703, the key plug 704 moves with it. There are grooves705 on the surface of the key plug 704, which extend up to the tooth ofthe key 702. The grooves 705 are in conformity with the tooth of thekey. The inner surface of the lock housing 706 has protrusions 707 thatfit into the grooves 705 in the key plug 704. When the key is movedclockwise, the grooves 705 in the key plug 704 fit into the protrusions707 in the lock housing 706. As a result, the key 702 and key plug 704are engaged with the lock housing 706 and the key cannot be withdrawnfrom the lock. This security mechanism prevents passengers from walkingoff with the key after retrieving his or her items. It also insures theintegrity of each box by avoiding having to create duplicate keys forboxes with lost keys. Other mechanisms for securing a key to a containerare also covered by the present invention, including physicallyfastening the key to the container using a cable and other key-lockingconfigurations, such as having only one or two grooves, or more thanthree grooves, and/or having a key cross-sectional structure that is ofa different geometric shape, such as round, rectangular, square, oval,among other shapes.

[0040]FIG. 8 depicts the container in the closed position with thelockable device in the locked state. In the locked state the curvedportion 806 of the cam 803 is hooked onto the groove 805 in the block804, which is fixed to the lid 801. Thus, the cam 803 locks the lid 801with the base 802 and the container comes to the closed position.

[0041] At the security checkpoint the luggage, other than personalitems, is placed on the conveyor belt by an individual for scanning.When the luggage passes through the X-ray device, images of the objectsinside the bags are captured and transmitted to an image processingsystem. These images can be viewed by the inspectors. Individuals areusually examined with metal detectors which is independent of the X-rayexamination of luggage. An alarm is raised when a metal object isdetected on an individual, such as by way of something in his pocket.The metal detection structure typically utilizes electromagneticradiation.

[0042] The present invention is designed to be used in concert with theabove described security process. The securable containers are stackedone above another in the storage location. Also, the containers may becolored or labeled to indicate that they belong to a particular securitycheckpoint. For example, in an airport with five security checkpoints,there can be five container sets, each set labeled with a sticker ofdifferent color. A specific color is associated with each securitycheckpoint to distinguish the containers belonging to each checkpoint.Additionally, the logo of an airline can be tagged to the containers ofa particular security checkpoint if it scans the containers of thatspecific airline.

[0043] Operationally, a container is issued to an individual uponproduction of the boarding pass at the security checkpoint. Havingreceived a container, the passenger removes his personal belongings andinserts them into the container, where the lid is in the open position,by inserting such items into the interior compartment defined by thebase. The key is present in the keyway of the lock in the open state. Toclose the container, the passenger brings the lid into contact with thebase of the container and moves the key in the keyway in acounterclockwise direction from the open state to the closed state,thereby engaging the cam into the groove. When in the locked state, thekey is removable from the keyway.

[0044] In such an operation, the security checkpoint may have aplurality of containers, such as 200, available for distribution whereeach container has a common color, logo, label, or other marking, andthe plurality of containers have at least 25 unique key-lockcombinations where the lock is not removable from the keyway when in theopen state. By having 25 unique combinations, each key-lock combinationmay be repeated as few as 8 times, providing an additional level ofsecurity by insuring that it is less likely for a thief to successfullysteal a key by locking it and then using that key to open othercontainers.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 9, a side view of another embodiment of anX-ray scanning system in accordance with the present invention is shown.It includes detector assembly 901, X-ray tube section 903, and tunnelhousing 904. The X-ray tube section 903 comprises an X-ray tube 905mounted in such a way that its radiation collimation orifice 906 iscentered with respect to the central opening 907 in the shielded focalmember 908. Member 908, which may be comprised of lead shielded plywood,prevents any X-rays from leaving section 903 except through the port ofopening 907. The automatic conveyor belt 909 is provided at the bottomof the tunnel housing 904, which moves the container to be inspectedinto and out of the tunnel housing at controllable speeds. Aphotoelectric eye switch 910 is provided at the entrance end of thetunnel housing 904 to activate an X-ray emission tube 905 to emitcontinuous low intensity X-rays for a period of time, which extendsbeyond the time when the article being inspected passes thephotoelectric eye switch 910. The X-ray tube section comprises an X-raycontrol box 911, which is associated with the photoelectric eye switch910 for activating the X-ray tube for a predetermined period of timeafter the photoelectric eye beam is restored by passage of article beinginspected.

[0046] The detector assembly 901 is preferably one leaded piece ofthinner bent steel. A variety of detector systems could be employed inthe present invention. The detector assembly 901 could comprise ashielded scintillator screen 912 as its ceiling. It may also comprise alinear sensor array 913 of photodiodes coupled to the scintillatorscreen 912 by the light coupling means 914.

[0047]FIG. 10 shows an inside perspective view of the scanner apparatus.It includes rollers 1001 and 1002, conveyor belt 1003, isolating deviceportions 1004 and 1005, entrance curtain 1006, exit curtain 1007, andtunnel housing 1008. The conveyor belt 1003 is controllable by throughoperator controls [not shown] and moves products to be inspected intoand out of the tunnel housing 1008 at controllable speeds. Rollers 1001and 1002 enable the movement of the conveyor belt 1003. The isolatingdevice portions 1004 and 1005 are located at entrance and exit openings,respectively of the scanner apparatus. The entrance curtain 1006 ismounted on top at the beginning of tunnel housing 1008 by mountingpieces 1009 and 1010. The mounting pieces may be clamp like instruments.Similarly, the exit curtain 1007 is mounted on top portion at the end oftunnel housing by mounting pieces 1011 and 1012. The entrance curtain1006 and exit curtain 1007 are provided to permit articles to beconveyed to and from tunnel housing 1008 while not permitting any of thelow intensity X-rays to escape. The low intensity of the radiation andthe distance between the exposure region and outermost curtains 1006 and1007 precludes any danger of harmful exposure of the inspector toradiation. The curtains are typically made of lead filled vinyl/fabriclaminate. The tunnel housing 1008 and the isolating device portions 1004and 1005 generally provide completely enclosed area inside the scannerapparatus. However, it is not necessary, and in fact may be desirablethat portions of the conveyor belt 1003 lie outside the enclosed area.In addition, the rollers 1001 and 1002 may also be outside the enclosedarea.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 11, a lockable container is placed on the X-rayscanning system. It includes lockable container 1101, articles 1102,conveyor belt 1103, lead shielded housing 1104, support housings 1105and 1106, and table 1107. Articles 1102 are carried by a person andintroduced into the base of the container 1101. To close the container1101, the lid is brought in contact with the base of the container. Thecontainer 1101 is then locked and allowed to go through the leadshielded housing 1104 on the conveyor belt 1103. The continuous conveyorbelt 1103 moves over the table 1107 as it carries articles 1102 intotunnel housing 1104 through the entrance opening and comes out of theexit opening of the inspection station. The articles 1102 can now beremoved from the container 1101.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 12, cross sectional view of the X-ray scanningsystem is shown on which the lockable container is being scanned. Itincludes lockable container 1201, objects 1202, X-ray source 1203,conveyor belt 1204, scintillator screen 1205, and table 1206. X-raybeams from a radiation source 1203 are passed through the lockablecontainer 1201 as it moves on the conveyor belt 1204.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the speed of the conveyor belt 1204can be varied, its motion can be stopped, or the direction of motion ofthe conveyor belt can be changed. The objects 1202 to be scanned areexposed to this X-ray radiation source 1203. A light emittingscintillator screen 1205 receives the beam after it has passed throughthe objects 1202. When the beam interacts with the scintillator,electrons are raised to an excited energy level. These electrons fallback to a lower energy state, with the emission of visible orultraviolet light. The emitted light forms a pattern proportional to theamount of radiation impinging on it and attenuated by the materialstructures of the objects 1202. A linear sensor array of photodiodes1207 is in communication with the scintillator screen 1205 by a lightcoupling means 1208, such as optical fibers. The light output of thescreen 1205 is received by the linear sensor array of photodiodes 1207which convert the light into electrical signals. The individual electricsignals output by the photodiodes 1207 are appropriately integrated andfed to a sampling circuit [not shown].

[0051] The sampling circuit time multiplexes the integrated photodetector outputs into a single output having successive pulsesrepresenting each of the photodiode outputs in sequence. Thesesequential outputs are converted to digital form and stored in memoryfrom where they are fed to video output circuits for display on thevideo monitor [not shown]. In effect, the inspector obtains a view ofthe internal structure of the contents of the container 1201 as he viewsthe monitor which images the scintillator screen 1205 as the containerpasses from entry position to centered position to exit position. Eachdetectable item 1202 in the container 1201 produces a captured image onthe scintillator screen 1205 so that its shape and relative positionwithin the piece of container 1201 are observable on the monitor as thearticle 1202 is conveyed through the X-ray beam 1203. Spacedsuperimposed items can be distinguished in a continuous motion exposure.Once the personal belongings have been screened and the passengersubjected to a metal detection screen, the passenger opens the containerby inserting the key into the keyway and moving the key in clockwisedirection from the locked state to the open state, thereby disengagingthe cam from the groove. The lid is lifted upwards and the container isopened. The item, which was stored in the container, can now be removed.

[0052] As discussed previously, the key cannot be removed once the lockis in the open state, thereby preventing passengers from accidentallyleaving with the key in hand. Further, although the lock has beendescribed as being locked by a 90 degrees counterclockwise movement andopened by a 90 degrees clockwise movement, it should be appreciated thatthe opening and closing mechanism of the lock can work in a reversemanner or any other suitable means.

[0053] As various changes could be made in the above constructionswithout departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall the matter contained in the above description should be interpretedas illustrative and not in the limiting sense. For example, otherlocking mechanisms, container configurations, and screening processescould be used while still staying within the scope and intent of thepresent invention. Further, the present invention may be used in othercontexts, including the screening of visitors to secure locations,government buildings, or high-rises.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable security container for storing articles for passage through a scanning device wherein the articles are carried by persons intending to enter into an area secured by said scanning device, comprising: a container floor and plurality of container walls integrally formed with said floor wherein the floor and plurality of walls together form a lower compartment region; a lid connected to the lower compartment region and movable between an open and a closed state with respect to said lower compartment region; a locking device for securing the lid to the lower compartment region; and a key for moving said locking device into a lock position to secure the lid in the closed state and for moving said locking device into an unlocked position to permit the lid to be in the open state, wherein the key is not removable from the locking device when the locking device is in the unlocked position.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein the lid is connected to the lower compartment region by a plurality of pivot posts formed on the lower compartment region fitted into a plurality of holes formed in the lid.
 3. The container of claim 1 wherein the lower compartment region is divided into regions by a plurality of dividing walls.
 4. The container of claim 3 wherein at least one of the regions is rectangular.
 5. The container of claim 1 wherein said key comprises a head and body having a cross-section and the locking device comprises a keyway having a shape complementary to said body cross-section.
 6. The container of claim 5 wherein the body cross-section is round.
 7. The container of claim 5 wherein the body cross-section is square.
 8. The container of claim 5 wherein the body cross-section is oval.
 9. A locking device for use in a portable security container wherein said container stores articles for passage through a scanning device and wherein said articles are carried by persons intending to enter into an area secured by said scanning device, comprising: a key having a head and a body wherein the body has a geometrically shaped cross-section; a housing defining an enclosure; and a lock mounted inside the said housing, the said lock having a keyway accessible from the exterior of said housing; wherein the lock is adapted to operably receive the body of said key in the keyway and to move between a locked state, wherein the key is insertable into and removable from the keyway, and an open state, wherein the key is not removable from the keyway.
 10. The container of claim 9 wherein the body cross-section is round.
 11. The container of claim 9 wherein the body cross-section is square.
 12. The container of claim 9 wherein the body cross-section is oval.
 13. The locking device of claim 9, wherein the lock comprises a cam that is movable with the movement of the keyway.
 14. The locking device of claim 13 further comprising a slot to engage the cam when the lock is in the locked state.
 15. The locking device of claim 9 wherein a plurality of grooves are present on an inner surface of the lock, said grooves engage the key when the lock is in the open state.
 16. A method for x-ray scanning a plurality of articles by storing them in at least one securable container, said container having a lid, a base, a lock, a keyway formed integrally with said lock, and a key lodged within the keyway, comprising: providing a plurality of containers proximate to an x-ray device; inserting said articles in at least one of said containers; closing the container by positioning the lid over, and in contact with, the base; moving the key in the keyway of the lock so that the lock comes to a closed state and the key can be withdrawn from the lock; placing the container on a conveyor belt leading into and through the x-ray device; removing the container from the conveyor belt after the container passes through the x-ray device; inserting the key in the keyway of the lock and moving the key so that the lock comes to an open state; and opening the container by moving the lid away from the base.
 17. The container of claim 16 wherein the lid is connected to the base by a plurality of pivot posts formed on the base fitted into a plurality of holes formed in the lid.
 18. The container of claim 16 wherein the base is divided into regions by a plurality of dividing walls.
 19. The container of claim 16 wherein said key comprises a head and body having a cross-section and the keyway has a shape complementary to said body cross-section.
 20. The container of claim 19 wherein the body cross-section is round. 